Chittara

Chittara painting is a traditional folk art from the Shimoga district in Karnataka, India, practiced predominantly by women of the Devaru community. This unique art form features intricate geometric patterns and symbolic motifs, meticulously drawn freehand on the walls and floors of houses using natural colors derived from local materials such as rice paste, red earth, charcoal, and plant seeds. The designs, which include squares, triangles, and circles, reflect aspects of life, nature, and spiritual beliefs, making Chittara not only a decorative art but also a representation of the community’s cultural and spiritual heritage